Agreement earlier approved by the security cabinet will pause 15-month war in Gaza for an initial six weeks

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The Israeli government has ratified a ceasefire deal to exchange dozens of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians in Israeli jails and pause the 15-month war in Gaza for an initial six weeks.

Under the deal, approved after a cabinet meeting that ended in the early hours of Saturday, a six-week ceasefire will take effect on Sunday, though key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive.